Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

Source Publication

Journal of Applied Business and Economics

Abstract

Wisconsin is one of many states that have enacted a “Smart Growth Initiative” law that requires inclusion of the public in the creation and development of a Comprehensive Plan. One implication of public participation is the strategic development of a comprehensive planning committee. Two crucial decisions occur when the committee is formed: the size of the committee and the composition of the committee. This paper models a relation between committee size and the accuracy of plan, as well as the relationship between the inclusion of experts, whether paid consultants or planners, and the quality of the outcome. Based on a survey of committee members, we test the relationship between the participants’ observations of quality and group size and composition, analyzing the tradeoff between the size of the group with the perception of quality of the decision.

Comments

Published version. Journal of Applied Business and Economics, Volume 9, No. 2 (2009), Publication's website. Used with permission.